H-1B Visa Director Of Strategic Initiatives Jobs
Director of Strategic Initiatives roles sit squarely within H-1B visa specialty occupation territory, requiring a bachelor's degree or higher in business, management, or a related field. Employers in consulting, healthcare, tech, and finance regularly sponsor H-1B petitions for this title. Use this page to find companies with active LCA filing history for strategic leadership roles.
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Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
A best-in-class city that attracts best-in-class talent, Philadelphia is an incredible place to build a career. From our thriving arts scene and rich history to our culture of passion and grit, there are countless reasons to love living and working here. With a workforce of over 30,000 people, and more than 1,000 different job categories, the City of Philadelphia offers boundless opportunities to make an impact. As an employer, the City of Philadelphia values inclusion, integrity, innovation, empowerment, and hard work above all else. We offer a vibrant work environment, comprehensive health care and benefits, and the experience you need to grow and excel. If you’re interested in working with a passionate team of people who care about the future of Philadelphia, start here.
What we offer
Impact - The work you do here matters to millions.
Growth - Philadelphia is growing, why not grow with it?
Diversity & Inclusion - Find a career in a place where everyone belongs.
Benefits - We care about your well-being.
Agency Description
On January 2020, under Executive Order No. 2-20 by the Mayor of Philadelphia, the Office of Children and Families (OCF) was established to improve the outcomes for all of Philadelphia’s children and families, build stronger communities, and support great schools in every neighborhood. The Office of Children and Families oversees the following City programs and services:
Department of Human Services (child welfare and juvenile justice)
PHLpreK, the City’s free, quality pre-K program for three- and four-year-olds
Prevention Support Services (Out-of-School Time, Youth Workforce Development, Truancy, Access Centers)
Philly Reading Coaches
* Food Access PHLpreK Program
The mission of the PHLpreK program is to increase access to quality early learning by offering free pre-Kindergarten to children regardless of their family’s income. Beginning in August 2026, PHLpreK offers free quality pre-K to 5,350 children. To achieve this, the Office of Children and Families partners with more than 230 early childhood education providers to provide:
A safe, well-equipped classroom staffed by trained teachers.
A challenging, proven, play-based curriculum.
Careful attention to the whole child (academic, physical, social, and emotional needs).
Parental engagement and a transition plan for Kindergarten.
Each year, the City seeks to enhance the quality of PHLpreK services and further develop the groundwork necessary to continue the expansion of the program. The City prides itself on its diversity and strives to have that diversity reflected in the business community and the workforce of the city. PHLpreK not only supports pre-kindergarten programming for children but also serves as a means for economic opportunity by providing growth for businesses, large, small, and diverse in nature. Since January 2017, the PHLpreK program has expanded the number of seats available to families by over 160%. This rapid expansion has been supported by investments in quality improvement services that assist providers in enhancing the early learning experiences children receive. As a result, the number of free, full-day preschool seats available to families that are rated STAR 3 or 4 in the state’s Quality Rating and Improvement System (QRIS) has grown by over 40%, beginning with 1,119 of the 2,000 (56%) available PHLpreK seats in January 2017 to 5,133 of the 5,250 (98%) seats in the most recent (2025–26) program year.
Job Description
Position Summary
This position reports to the Chief of Early Childhood Education and is responsible for supporting the city’s most needed ECE initiatives and working alongside other city departments to ensure those initiatives are fully supported. The successful candidate will be responsible for interacting with local, regional, and national ECE leaders and thought partners to develop and execute policies to best prepare children and families of Philadelphia for the Kindergarten and elementary school experience. Some/all the initiatives this individual will be responsible for managing include:
Workforce Development: Oversee successful implementation of a strategic plan for a future well-trained and compensated ECE workforce that is nationally competitive and locally representative of the community(ies) it intends to serve. This includes engaging with local training providers to ensure an ample supply of ECE Directors, Lead Teachers, Assistant Teachers, and staff are available. Reports and data analysis will be required for the ECE workforce landscape, considering demographics, quality, and professional development opportunities.
Early Intervention: Support the systemic remodeling of the process of identifying and serving children with exceptionalities for children between the ages of 3-5. This will require supporting the Local Education Agency (and relevant partners) responsible for screening, identifying, and serving children with exceptionalities between the ages of 3-5. It will further require developing a more streamlined process that includes mental, emotional, and behavioral health supports.
Intragovernmental Partnerships: Lead all partnerships with other city and governmental agencies that support the initiatives necessary to operate Philadelphia’s public early learning sector. This includes, but is not limited, to the Departments of Public Health, Behavioral Health and Intellectual disAbilities, Community Behavior Health, Free Library of Philadelphia, Human Services, Parks and Recreation, Commerce, Business and Economic Development, Licensing & Inspections, and
Stakeholder Engagement: Provide a variety of opportunities to engage a broad base of stakeholders, including parents, ECE providers, K-12 educators, advocates, policymakers, business and philanthropy throughout the year. Oversee the development of an annual report on the state of early learning in Philadelphia.
* Other Initiatives, as needed: emergency needs; trauma-informed practices; inclusionary policies; kindergarten and elementary school transition supports; etc.
Essential Functions
Track strategic initiative milestones, budgets, performance metrics, and risks; escalate issues to executive leadership with actionable recommendations.
Secure additional resources, as needed, to fully operationalize the public preschool system’s priorities.
Build and maintain collaborative relationships with Department Heads, Commissioners, and other senior stakeholders to ensure cross-functional coordination and policy alignment.
Manage high-priority, cross-departmental projects from concept to implementation, ensuring they are executed on time, within scope, and in accordance with the Mayor’s vision and strategic goals.
Anticipate political, operational, and community-related risks or barriers, and proactively propose solutions to address challenges and maintain momentum.
Lead and facilitate planning sessions, project check-ins, and decision-making meetings with senior stakeholders, ensuring transparency, accountability, and shared ownership of outcomes.
Prepare and deliver clear, concise, and data-informed briefings, memos, and presentations to the City’s Chief Deputy Mayor, Chief of Staff, and Chief of Early Childhood Education, and other senior level staff.
Represent the Mayor's Early Childhood Education division in high-level meetings, public engagements, and intergovernmental forums, articulating project goals and maintaining strong partnerships with internal and external stakeholders.
Draft executive-level materials including talking points, public remarks, and status updates to support the Chief of Early Childhood Education and senior staff.
Analyze policies and proposals tied to key initiatives, assessing their feasibility, impacts, and alignment with city goals and recommending improvements where needed.
Ensure all projects reflect and advance the administration's commitment to equity, transparency, and operational excellence.
Any other duties as assigned.
Competencies, Knowledge, Skills And Abilities
Values and encourages diversity of thought, background, and perspective.
Experience working directly with people from diverse racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic backgrounds.
Ability to cultivate and develop inclusive and equitable working relationships with students, faculty, staff and community members.
Demonstrated skill in understanding of cultural differences.
Capable and detail-oriented multitasker who can prioritize and remain professional in demanding situations.
Knowledge of and familiarity with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania’s Quality Rating System, Keystone STARS.
Knowledge of and familiarity with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania’s licensing and certification requirements of childcare providers.
Ability to interpret relevant local, state, and federal rules and regulations pertaining to childcare program administration.
Ability to reference and identify small and medium business best practices.
Ability to collaborate effectively with colleagues at all levels of the organization.
Ability to learn quickly and succeed in a rapidly changing environment.
Ability to project manage a variety of tasks while meeting deadlines.
Ability to exercise sound judgement in a politically savvy environment.
Team player capable of resolving organizational roadblocks.
Experience in trauma responsive services and related program development, implementation and evaluation.
Talent for listening, asking effective questions, and synthesizing information.
Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in Education, Policy, Strategic Management, or similar field required, Master’s degree in related field preferred.
At least 5 years of overall professional experience.
Early Childhood experience preferred.
2+ years of experience in strategic planning.
Data Analytics experience preferred.
Knowledge of word processing software, presentations, spreadsheets, and databases.
Additional Information
TO APPLY: Interested candidates must submit a cover letter, resume and references.
Salary Range: $85,000 - $100,000
Discover the Perks of Being a City of Philadelphia Employee:
Transportation: City employees get unlimited FREE public transportation all year long through SEPTA’s Key Advantage program. Employees can ride on SEPTA buses, subways, trolleys, and regional rail for their daily commute and more.
Parental Benefits: The City offers its employees 8 weeks of paid parental leave.
We offer Comprehensive health coverage for employees and their eligible dependents.
Our wellness program offers eligibility into the discounted medical plan.
Employees receive paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays.
Generous retirement savings options are available.
Pay off your student loans faster - As a qualifying employer, City of Philadelphia employees are eligible to participate in the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program. Join the ranks of hundreds of employees who have already benefited from this program and achieved student loan forgiveness.
Unlock Tuition Discounts and Scholarships - The City of Philadelphia has forged partnerships with over a dozen esteemed colleges and universities in the area, ensuring that our employees have access to a wide range of tuition discounts and scholarships. Experience savings of 10% to 40% on your educational expenses, extending not only to City employees but in some cases, spouse and dependents too! Join the City of Philadelphia team today and seize these incredible benefits designed to enhance your financial well-being and personal growth!
The successful candidate must be a city of Philadelphia resident within six months of hire. Effective May 22, 2023, vaccinations are no longer required for new employees that work in non-medical, non-emergency or patient facing positions with the City of Philadelphia. As a result, only employees in positions providing services that are patient-facing medical care (ex: Nurses, doctors, emergency medical personnel), must be fully vaccinated.
The City of Philadelphia is an Equal Opportunity employer and does not permit discrimination based on race, ethnicity, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, marital status, source of income, familial status, genetic information or domestic or sexual violence victim status. If you believe you were discriminated against, call the Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations at 215-686-4670 or send an email to faqpchr@phila.gov. For more information, go to: Human Relations Website: http://www.phila.gov/humanrelations/Pages/default.aspx
INTRODUCTION
A best-in-class city that attracts best-in-class talent, Philadelphia is an incredible place to build a career. From our thriving arts scene and rich history to our culture of passion and grit, there are countless reasons to love living and working here. With a workforce of over 30,000 people, and more than 1,000 different job categories, the City of Philadelphia offers boundless opportunities to make an impact. As an employer, the City of Philadelphia values inclusion, integrity, innovation, empowerment, and hard work above all else. We offer a vibrant work environment, comprehensive health care and benefits, and the experience you need to grow and excel. If you’re interested in working with a passionate team of people who care about the future of Philadelphia, start here.
What we offer
Impact - The work you do here matters to millions.
Growth - Philadelphia is growing, why not grow with it?
Diversity & Inclusion - Find a career in a place where everyone belongs.
Benefits - We care about your well-being.
Agency Description
On January 2020, under Executive Order No. 2-20 by the Mayor of Philadelphia, the Office of Children and Families (OCF) was established to improve the outcomes for all of Philadelphia’s children and families, build stronger communities, and support great schools in every neighborhood. The Office of Children and Families oversees the following City programs and services:
Department of Human Services (child welfare and juvenile justice)
PHLpreK, the City’s free, quality pre-K program for three- and four-year-olds
Prevention Support Services (Out-of-School Time, Youth Workforce Development, Truancy, Access Centers)
Philly Reading Coaches
* Food Access PHLpreK Program
The mission of the PHLpreK program is to increase access to quality early learning by offering free pre-Kindergarten to children regardless of their family’s income. Beginning in August 2026, PHLpreK offers free quality pre-K to 5,350 children. To achieve this, the Office of Children and Families partners with more than 230 early childhood education providers to provide:
A safe, well-equipped classroom staffed by trained teachers.
A challenging, proven, play-based curriculum.
Careful attention to the whole child (academic, physical, social, and emotional needs).
Parental engagement and a transition plan for Kindergarten.
Each year, the City seeks to enhance the quality of PHLpreK services and further develop the groundwork necessary to continue the expansion of the program. The City prides itself on its diversity and strives to have that diversity reflected in the business community and the workforce of the city. PHLpreK not only supports pre-kindergarten programming for children but also serves as a means for economic opportunity by providing growth for businesses, large, small, and diverse in nature. Since January 2017, the PHLpreK program has expanded the number of seats available to families by over 160%. This rapid expansion has been supported by investments in quality improvement services that assist providers in enhancing the early learning experiences children receive. As a result, the number of free, full-day preschool seats available to families that are rated STAR 3 or 4 in the state’s Quality Rating and Improvement System (QRIS) has grown by over 40%, beginning with 1,119 of the 2,000 (56%) available PHLpreK seats in January 2017 to 5,133 of the 5,250 (98%) seats in the most recent (2025–26) program year.
Job Description
Position Summary
This position reports to the Chief of Early Childhood Education and is responsible for supporting the city’s most needed ECE initiatives and working alongside other city departments to ensure those initiatives are fully supported. The successful candidate will be responsible for interacting with local, regional, and national ECE leaders and thought partners to develop and execute policies to best prepare children and families of Philadelphia for the Kindergarten and elementary school experience. Some/all the initiatives this individual will be responsible for managing include:
Workforce Development: Oversee successful implementation of a strategic plan for a future well-trained and compensated ECE workforce that is nationally competitive and locally representative of the community(ies) it intends to serve. This includes engaging with local training providers to ensure an ample supply of ECE Directors, Lead Teachers, Assistant Teachers, and staff are available. Reports and data analysis will be required for the ECE workforce landscape, considering demographics, quality, and professional development opportunities.
Early Intervention: Support the systemic remodeling of the process of identifying and serving children with exceptionalities for children between the ages of 3-5. This will require supporting the Local Education Agency (and relevant partners) responsible for screening, identifying, and serving children with exceptionalities between the ages of 3-5. It will further require developing a more streamlined process that includes mental, emotional, and behavioral health supports.
Intragovernmental Partnerships: Lead all partnerships with other city and governmental agencies that support the initiatives necessary to operate Philadelphia’s public early learning sector. This includes, but is not limited, to the Departments of Public Health, Behavioral Health and Intellectual disAbilities, Community Behavior Health, Free Library of Philadelphia, Human Services, Parks and Recreation, Commerce, Business and Economic Development, Licensing & Inspections, and
Stakeholder Engagement: Provide a variety of opportunities to engage a broad base of stakeholders, including parents, ECE providers, K-12 educators, advocates, policymakers, business and philanthropy throughout the year. Oversee the development of an annual report on the state of early learning in Philadelphia.
* Other Initiatives, as needed: emergency needs; trauma-informed practices; inclusionary policies; kindergarten and elementary school transition supports; etc.
Essential Functions
Track strategic initiative milestones, budgets, performance metrics, and risks; escalate issues to executive leadership with actionable recommendations.
Secure additional resources, as needed, to fully operationalize the public preschool system’s priorities.
Build and maintain collaborative relationships with Department Heads, Commissioners, and other senior stakeholders to ensure cross-functional coordination and policy alignment.
Manage high-priority, cross-departmental projects from concept to implementation, ensuring they are executed on time, within scope, and in accordance with the Mayor’s vision and strategic goals.
Anticipate political, operational, and community-related risks or barriers, and proactively propose solutions to address challenges and maintain momentum.
Lead and facilitate planning sessions, project check-ins, and decision-making meetings with senior stakeholders, ensuring transparency, accountability, and shared ownership of outcomes.
Prepare and deliver clear, concise, and data-informed briefings, memos, and presentations to the City’s Chief Deputy Mayor, Chief of Staff, and Chief of Early Childhood Education, and other senior level staff.
Represent the Mayor's Early Childhood Education division in high-level meetings, public engagements, and intergovernmental forums, articulating project goals and maintaining strong partnerships with internal and external stakeholders.
Draft executive-level materials including talking points, public remarks, and status updates to support the Chief of Early Childhood Education and senior staff.
Analyze policies and proposals tied to key initiatives, assessing their feasibility, impacts, and alignment with city goals and recommending improvements where needed.
Ensure all projects reflect and advance the administration's commitment to equity, transparency, and operational excellence.
Any other duties as assigned.
Competencies, Knowledge, Skills And Abilities
Values and encourages diversity of thought, background, and perspective.
Experience working directly with people from diverse racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic backgrounds.
Ability to cultivate and develop inclusive and equitable working relationships with students, faculty, staff and community members.
Demonstrated skill in understanding of cultural differences.
Capable and detail-oriented multitasker who can prioritize and remain professional in demanding situations.
Knowledge of and familiarity with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania’s Quality Rating System, Keystone STARS.
Knowledge of and familiarity with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania’s licensing and certification requirements of childcare providers.
Ability to interpret relevant local, state, and federal rules and regulations pertaining to childcare program administration.
Ability to reference and identify small and medium business best practices.
Ability to collaborate effectively with colleagues at all levels of the organization.
Ability to learn quickly and succeed in a rapidly changing environment.
Ability to project manage a variety of tasks while meeting deadlines.
Ability to exercise sound judgement in a politically savvy environment.
Team player capable of resolving organizational roadblocks.
Experience in trauma responsive services and related program development, implementation and evaluation.
Talent for listening, asking effective questions, and synthesizing information.
Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in Education, Policy, Strategic Management, or similar field required, Master’s degree in related field preferred.
At least 5 years of overall professional experience.
Early Childhood experience preferred.
2+ years of experience in strategic planning.
Data Analytics experience preferred.
Knowledge of word processing software, presentations, spreadsheets, and databases.
Additional Information
TO APPLY: Interested candidates must submit a cover letter, resume and references.
Salary Range: $85,000 - $100,000
Discover the Perks of Being a City of Philadelphia Employee:
Transportation: City employees get unlimited FREE public transportation all year long through SEPTA’s Key Advantage program. Employees can ride on SEPTA buses, subways, trolleys, and regional rail for their daily commute and more.
Parental Benefits: The City offers its employees 8 weeks of paid parental leave.
We offer Comprehensive health coverage for employees and their eligible dependents.
Our wellness program offers eligibility into the discounted medical plan.
Employees receive paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays.
Generous retirement savings options are available.
Pay off your student loans faster - As a qualifying employer, City of Philadelphia employees are eligible to participate in the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program. Join the ranks of hundreds of employees who have already benefited from this program and achieved student loan forgiveness.
Unlock Tuition Discounts and Scholarships - The City of Philadelphia has forged partnerships with over a dozen esteemed colleges and universities in the area, ensuring that our employees have access to a wide range of tuition discounts and scholarships. Experience savings of 10% to 40% on your educational expenses, extending not only to City employees but in some cases, spouse and dependents too! Join the City of Philadelphia team today and seize these incredible benefits designed to enhance your financial well-being and personal growth!
The successful candidate must be a city of Philadelphia resident within six months of hire. Effective May 22, 2023, vaccinations are no longer required for new employees that work in non-medical, non-emergency or patient facing positions with the City of Philadelphia. As a result, only employees in positions providing services that are patient-facing medical care (ex: Nurses, doctors, emergency medical personnel), must be fully vaccinated.
The City of Philadelphia is an Equal Opportunity employer and does not permit discrimination based on race, ethnicity, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, marital status, source of income, familial status, genetic information or domestic or sexual violence victim status. If you believe you were discriminated against, call the Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations at 215-686-4670 or send an email to faqpchr@phila.gov. For more information, go to: Human Relations Website: http://www.phila.gov/humanrelations/Pages/default.aspx
See all 97+ H-1B Visa Director Of Strategic Initiatives Jobs
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding H-1B Visa Sponsorship in Director Of Strategic Initiatives
Align your degree to the role
USCIS scrutinizes specialty occupation claims for broad leadership titles. Document how your degree in business administration, strategy, or a directly related field maps to the specific duties in the job description before the LCA is filed.
Search LCA filings by occupation code
Use the OFLC Wage Search to filter Labor Condition Applications under SOC code 11-1021 (General and Operations Managers) or 11-9199, which covers strategic initiative roles. Employers with certified LCAs have already cleared the DOL filing step.
Target employers with cap-exempt filing history
Universities, nonprofits affiliated with higher education, and government research entities are cap-exempt. A Director of Strategic Initiatives role at one of these organizations lets your employer file H-1B petitions outside the annual lottery window entirely.
Use Migrate Mate to filter verified sponsors
Search Migrate Mate to identify employers who have filed H-1B petitions for strategic and initiative-focused roles. The platform surfaces DOL LCA filing history by occupation code, so you're targeting companies with a documented sponsorship track record rather than guessing.
Request premium processing before your start date
If your offer has a firm start date, ask your employer to file Form I-907 for premium processing. USCIS adjudicates premium petitions within 15 business days, which matters when onboarding timelines for senior roles are fixed months in advance.
Prepare a role-specific specialty occupation letter
Broad titles like Director of Strategic Initiatives attract USCIS Requests for Evidence questioning whether the role requires a specific degree. Work with your employer to draft a detailed job duties letter referencing O*NET task descriptions and your degree's direct applicability.
H-1B Visa Director Of Strategic Initiatives: Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Director of Strategic Initiatives role qualify as a specialty occupation for H-1B purposes?
Yes, but the employer must demonstrate that the position normally requires a bachelor's degree or higher in a specific field such as business strategy, organizational management, or a related discipline. Generic executive titles can draw USCIS scrutiny, so the job description needs to tie the degree requirement directly to the day-to-day duties, not just list a degree as a preference.
Which industries most commonly sponsor H-1B visas for this role?
Healthcare systems, management consulting firms, technology companies, and large financial institutions file H-1B petitions for Director of Strategic Initiatives roles most frequently. These sectors run formal strategic planning functions with defined reporting structures that support the specialty occupation argument. You can verify employer-level filing history through Migrate Mate before applying.
How does the H-1B lottery affect my timeline for this type of role?
Cap-subject H-1B registrations open each March for an October 1 start. If you're not selected, you can't start in that fiscal year under a cap-subject petition. For a senior role, some employers will consider cap-exempt pathways or time a future offer around the next registration window rather than lose a candidate.
Can I transfer my H-1B to a new employer if I change companies in this role?
Yes. H-1B portability under AC21 lets you start working for a new employer as soon as they file a transfer petition, without waiting for USCIS approval, provided your original petition has been pending or approved for at least 180 days. The new employer files a fresh I-129 and LCA covering the specific strategic initiatives duties at the new organization.
What documentation supports the specialty occupation claim for this title?
USCIS looks for industry position descriptions, internal job postings requiring a specific degree field, O*NET occupation data, and evidence that peer companies in the same industry require equivalent credentials for comparable roles. Your employer's HR team or immigration counsel typically assembles this record as part of the I-129 petition package.